The cosmetic or beauty section of most department stores these days are loaded with sprays, creams, and gels that promise to eliminate sagging, wrinkles, and other signs of skin aging. While it’s always easy to pull out some bills and spend it on these anti-aging products, it’s wiser to walk around your kitchen first because chances are, the ingredients that you need to reverse your skin’s clock are already there. We’re talking about making your own natural anti-aging creams, scrubs, and masks.
Natural ingredients such as nuts, dairy, and fruits are loaded with acids and antioxidants that help restore your skin’s youthful glow. There’s no limit to the potency of the vitamins and minerals found in each ingredient. Plus, the best part is, your skin can use these nutrients the moment you apply them. The fact that they are easy to make is just an added bonus. If you can whip up a smoothie, then you’ll have no problem making your own natural anti-aging products. Just be sure that you handle and store these ingredients like fresh food: portions that won’t be used must be placed inside the refrigerator and they must be discarded or consumed within seven days.
Here are some anti-aging recipes:
Granola-Blueberry Exfoliating Mask
Blueberries and almonds are rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids – the nutrients that you need if you want smooth and clear skin. Whole oats contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help restore your skin’s suppleness while honey and fresh milk help get rid of dirt and other impurities while improving your skin complexion.
You will need:
- A quarter cup of raw almonds
- A quarter cup of fresh blueberries
- A tablespoon of honey
- Two tablespoons of whole oats
- A tablespoon of whole organic milk
Here’s how:
- Put all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender until if forms a smooth paste. If you want, you can add some milk.
- Apply the smooth paste on your skin using upward strokes.
- Massage the paste on your face for twenty minutes. Start from the chin and then slowly work your way up to the cheeks. It’s fine if the paste crumbles at some point.
- Wash off the paste with warm water.
- Apply a gentle toner.
Cucumber-Aloe Vera Cold Cream
The cucumber-aloe vera cold cream is a super-hydrating cream that moisturizes your skin and restores its natural glow. It also contains properties that lighten your complexion, and sloughs off the dead skin cells from the epidermis.
You will need:
- A quarter cup of seeded and chopped cucumber
- Half a cup of plan organic Greek yogurt
- Half a cup of fresh lemon juice
- A quarter cup of chopped and peeled aloe vera flesh.
Here’s how:
- Get a mesh strainer, line it with some layers of cheesecloth and place it over a clean bowl.
- Use a food processor or blender to puree all of the ingredients.
- Pour the ingredients through the mesh strainer.
- Get a plate to cover the bowl and put it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours or overnight.
- Get the thick yogurt mixture and transfer it to another bowl.
- You may opt to discard or mix the leftover liquid with almond meal or rice flour so you can use it as a facial scrub.
- Apply the thick cream on your face using upward strokes to keep the skin from sagging.
- Leave the paste on your face for half an hour.
- Use a wet washcloth to remove the thick mask.
- Apply a gentle toner.
Honey-Apple-Chia Scrub
Aside from being a popular superfood, chia seeds are also packed with antioxidants and nutrients that are essential if you want skin that’s clear, radiant, and smooth. Honey has the ability to unclog pores and remove deep-seated dirt. Green apples are packed with flavonoids, alpha hydroxyl acids, and polyphenols that can soothe, plump and brighten the skin.
You will need:
- Two tablespoons of honey
- Half a cup of chopped raw green apple
- Two tablespoons of chia seeds
Here’s how:
- Put the honey, apple, and chia seeds in a blender or food processor.
- Puree all of the ingredients until they form a smooth paste. If needed, add a small amount of water.
- Set the mixture aside for five minutes.
- Apply a generous amount of the smooth paste on your face.
- Massage using upward or circular strokes. Do this slowly.
- Use warm water to remove the paste.
- Apply a gentle toner.
Walnut-Blackberry Scrub
Blackberries are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin C- all popular nutrients because of their capacity to decrease the signs of skin aging. This facial scrub comes with a generous amount of vitamin E (thank you, walnuts!) that effectively exfoliates the skin and gets rid of dirt and other impurities.
You will need:
- Half a cup of organic blackberries or black raspberries
- Half a cup of walnuts
Here’s how:
- Put all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until they form a homogenous mixture.
- Wash your face with warm water.
- Apply the paste on your face.
- Massage using upward strokes or circular motions.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Use a gentle cleanser or toner.
Rice Milk Cleanser:
Rice, a traditional element in almost all of the skincare products in Japan, contains high levels of vitamin E and is very effective in exfoliating your skin and keeping it smooth. While cleansers are usually moistened with water, you’re better off with using the rice milk cleanser because it boosts vitamin A’s retinol production and it also comes with a generous amount of calcium.
You will need:
- A quarter cup of brown rice flour or rice bran flour
- Two to three tablespoons of organic rice milk (unsweetened)
Here’s how:
- Mix the rice milk and the brown rice flour until it has a paste-like consistency
- Apply the paste on your skin.
- Massage in slow, circular strokes.
- Use warm water to rinse off the paste.
- Apply a gentle moisturizer and toner.
Wheatgrass-Avocado Mask
Avocado contains oleic acid which is an excellent moisturizing base for an anti-aging face mask. It also contains high amounts of vitamin E which smoothens the skin’s texture while treating the damage caused by free radicals. The lactic acid found in yogurt gets rid of the dead skin cells which results in a brighter, fresher complexion. The wheatgrass juice contains vitamin E and vitamin A which are both essential in fighting the signs of skin aging and restoring your skin’s youthful glow.
You will need:
- One half ripe avocado
- One tablespoon of wheatgrass juice (if not available, use reconstituted powdered juice)
- Two tablespoons of plain organic Greek yogurt
Here’s how:
- Use a blender or food processor to puree all of the ingredients.
- Apply the thick puree on your face.
- Leave the puree on your face for fifteen to twenty minutes.
- Use warm water to remove the paste.
- Apply a gentle toner.